The Real Sheila Oliver

Sheila Oliver, the Lieutenant Governor (state equivalent to vice president) passed away on August 1st, 2023. She was serving as acting governor at the time of her death due to Phil Murphy’s vacation, making her the first acting governor to pass while in office since the state’s first, William Livingston, in 1790.

In the wake of her passing, it is only appropriate to look back on her multi decade long career in public office and ask the question, “Who was Sheila Oliver?”

LIFE:

Born on July 14, 1952, in Newark, New Jersey, Sheila Oliver's passion for public service began at a young age.

Armed with a degree in Sociology from Lincoln University, she embarked on her political journey with a strong determination to effect positive change in her community.

Oliver's political career took off in the 2003 when she successfully secured a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 34th Legislative District. Her intelligence and charisma quickly earned her respect among her peers, leading to her rise as a prominent figure in state politics.

In 2010, a defining moment in Sheila Oliver's career came when she became the first African-American woman to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly. In this role, she wielded her influence to spearhead legislative initiatives that addressed various social and economic issues facing the state.

In 2018, Sheila Oliver's leadership was once again recognized by the people of New Jersey when she was elected as the state's Lieutenant Governor.

This historic milestone not only solidified her position as a prominent political figure but also made her the first African-American woman to hold this significant office in the state's history.

Over the past 5 years, she spent her time vocalizing and tackling problems such as affordable housing, environmental issues, and revitalizing cities. Now that she has passed, a new Lt. governor will have large shoes to fill coming very soon.

WHAT NEXT?

Phil Murphy will have 45 days to find a replacement for Oliver. Until then, the state mourns the unfortunate loss of a pioneer in the political space, for all she’s done for her city, and the state.

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